One aspect you will have to deal with if you have constructed driveways or parking lots using asphalt is cracks and potholes. Like many other paving materials, asphalt experiences shrinkage and hardening which causes cracks. There are different methods of restoring cracks and one is asphalt patching. Those beautiful black jet asphaltic driveways and parking lots can experience issues that need timely and proper repairs.
To determine which procedure to use, you need to inspect the defects properly and determine what is causing them. Asphalt is a material used in constructing roads, driveways, lanes, parking lots, and other paving surfaces. However, although it lasts for long and can bear heavy weight, it is affected by changes in the environment and manmade factors. The heat from sun will bake the blacktop and harden it.
When the blacktop has hardened, its binding properties diminish. Usually asphaltic material goes through a series of chemical changes where the hydrocarbon molecules shuffle and rearrange themselves throughout their life. The moment they acquire equilibrium, that is when the end of the life of your asphaltic pavement reaches. During the life of these pavements, you will have to struggle with things like cracks and potholes.
The material is affected by environmental factors such as ultraviolet rays, water, snow, as well as manmade elements like salts and gasoline products. When it is heated and baked by UV light, the material dries out and becomes brittle. It loses its elasticity property and begins to wear out. When you do not repair the damages, you might have to do very costly repairs.
Cracks have to be addressed as soon they are noticed, otherwise when you delay, you will be surprised by the kind of damage you deal with. The first sign that your blacktop is deteriorating is the change in color. Initially, the blacktop has a deep black color but when it is heated, it fades and assumes a grayish color.
During this time, you may have tiny small cracks known as hairline cracks. These are not a problem as such since they may not allow moisture to penetrate however, if they are left unrestored, the will widen and become visible. The fine hairline cracks could easily be solved by just sealcoating. But, one thing with sealcoating is that it is not meant to be a repair technique but rather a preservation process.
Sealcoating is designed to allow the blacktop to regain its elasticity and prevent the damage caused by manmade and environmental factors. The sealcoating can seal the tiny cracks but if the cracks widen, you have to seek for more effective repair techniques. Patching is one technique that is used in localized cracks. If you have a large crack such as alligator cracks, then you can use this technique.
You should deal with contractors who use only quality materials so that the repairs can be done properly. Applying the patches helps prevent water intrusion into the sub base layer of pavements through cracks. Water undermines the structural integrity of pavements by loosening the material underlying pavement base.
To determine which procedure to use, you need to inspect the defects properly and determine what is causing them. Asphalt is a material used in constructing roads, driveways, lanes, parking lots, and other paving surfaces. However, although it lasts for long and can bear heavy weight, it is affected by changes in the environment and manmade factors. The heat from sun will bake the blacktop and harden it.
When the blacktop has hardened, its binding properties diminish. Usually asphaltic material goes through a series of chemical changes where the hydrocarbon molecules shuffle and rearrange themselves throughout their life. The moment they acquire equilibrium, that is when the end of the life of your asphaltic pavement reaches. During the life of these pavements, you will have to struggle with things like cracks and potholes.
The material is affected by environmental factors such as ultraviolet rays, water, snow, as well as manmade elements like salts and gasoline products. When it is heated and baked by UV light, the material dries out and becomes brittle. It loses its elasticity property and begins to wear out. When you do not repair the damages, you might have to do very costly repairs.
Cracks have to be addressed as soon they are noticed, otherwise when you delay, you will be surprised by the kind of damage you deal with. The first sign that your blacktop is deteriorating is the change in color. Initially, the blacktop has a deep black color but when it is heated, it fades and assumes a grayish color.
During this time, you may have tiny small cracks known as hairline cracks. These are not a problem as such since they may not allow moisture to penetrate however, if they are left unrestored, the will widen and become visible. The fine hairline cracks could easily be solved by just sealcoating. But, one thing with sealcoating is that it is not meant to be a repair technique but rather a preservation process.
Sealcoating is designed to allow the blacktop to regain its elasticity and prevent the damage caused by manmade and environmental factors. The sealcoating can seal the tiny cracks but if the cracks widen, you have to seek for more effective repair techniques. Patching is one technique that is used in localized cracks. If you have a large crack such as alligator cracks, then you can use this technique.
You should deal with contractors who use only quality materials so that the repairs can be done properly. Applying the patches helps prevent water intrusion into the sub base layer of pavements through cracks. Water undermines the structural integrity of pavements by loosening the material underlying pavement base.
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